Indonesia's Unrest: Delivery Driver's Death Sparks Nationwide Protests

Protests have escalated across Indonesia following the death of a 21-year-old rideshare delivery driver, Affan Kurniawan. His death, resulting from police actions, has incited widespread dissatisfaction with rising living costs and government perks for politicians deemed excessive by the public.

The demonstrations, which began on August 25 in Jakarta, were initially focused on the government's decision to raise allowances for parliamentarians amidst a cost-of-living crisis affecting the many. The spark was ignited further when police action led to Kurniawan's death, which ignited demonstrations turning violent, resulting in at least seven fatalities by Monday.

The public outrage is rooted in reports indicating parliamentarians receive upwards of 100 million rupiah per month, which is significantly higher than the national income, in addition to their perks. Amidst this, ordinary citizens are grappling with rising economic insecurities.

In an effort to quell the unrest, President Prabowo Subianto announced cutbacks on some parliamentary benefits. Although some welcomed these changes, others asserted they do not address the underlying issues of political corruption and social inequality that have stoked the flames of dissent.

The unrest has led to violent confrontations between protesters and law enforcement, with numerous instances of buildings being torched and looted throughout the nation. Prabowo's administration faces intense scrutiny and pressure to balance the demands for reform with the need to maintain order. As protests continue, the focus remains on whether these events will catalyze substantial change in the government's approach to economic policy and governance.